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As you do to the least of these

There was a man with two sons… [he Father] divided his property between them. The younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country and he began to be in need. (Luke 15: 11-14)

You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy labours, whether other Israelites or aliens who reside in your land in one of your towns.  Deut. 24:14

 Through Lent we are called to look at the shadow side of our culture, our lifestyle and our worldview.  How do our choices and consumerism affect the rest of the world, especially our neighbours to the south.  Poor working facilities, unhealthy working conditions, unfair labour standards are the hidden shadow to our consumerism.  Scripture reminds us that our Christian story is intimately connected to the wellbeing of the earth and all of its inhabitants.  Our neighbours in the Global South live with the inequities created by our greed and the devastating effects of climate change.  

God does not draw boundaries between cultures and nations. When we look at goods do we think about where they came from, who produced them, under what conditions?  Do we question how workers are treated, if companies are fair to their workers, or give back to the communities and countries where they have factories?  These are the shadows, buried in the goods we own.    

A 2018 report on Global Slavery Index from Australia noted, “Modern slavery, forced labor and human trafficking continue to be endemic issues in global production and manufacturing, especially in low-wage, labor-intensive industries. Despite governments and private corporations pledging to put an end to exploitative employment practices, the problem persists across the world’s supply chains.”

Jesus reached out to the poor the marginalized, the orphan, widow, and stranger.  “ I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."
 ( Matthew 25:40)

Through this Lent St. Stephens invites you to join a Carbon Fast.  It can be downloaded here: https://www.kairoscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SUS-CJ-KAIROS_CarbonFast_SingleSheets_WEB.pdf

 This week we are encouraged to look at our shopping habits.  Inventory your living room, your closets, if you have children their toys.  Refrain from unnecessary shopping, short lasting ‘throw-a-way’ clothes, over-consumption. Look for fair trade labels. Find ways to replace disposable products with sustainable options. Spend more time with loved ones, enjoying activities that bring you closer together.

Advocacy: support fair trade, fair labour practices. Support an organization such as the Maquila Solidarity Network that works for fair labour practices in source countries: en.maquilasolidarity.org

 Prayer

God of all who labour,
Your commandments are clear:
Love. Do not separate my creation into “us and them” Do not exploit.
We have choices to make. Help us choose justice.
We have truths to hear. Help us act on them.
We have temptations to resist. Help us choose equity and community.
Help us leave the path of exploitation and injustice
And travel a road to justice in the company of all your many peoples.
In the name of the One who walked the dust road
With poor disciples and outcast sinners we pray.  Amen

Photo by Francois Le Nguyen on Unsplash